Ranked by tastecard: The best of British street food.

Black pudding is a traditional British delicacy, particularly popular in the north of England and Scotland. For the uninitiated, it’s a type of blood sausage made from pork blood, fat, oatmeal, and a unique blend of spices. The mixture is encased and then cooked, resulting in a rich, dark sausage that’s full of flavour and packed with protein. Despite its long-standing history and nutritional benefits, black pudding tends to divide tastes more than any other British food – it’s a real ‘marmite’ item. You either love it or you don’t, but those who do, swear by it. 

At Beefeater restaurants, a traditional full English Breakfast is a symphony of flavours, textures, and hearty delights that capture the essence of British morning fare. At the heart of this breakfast feast is the black pudding, a rich and flavourful delicacy that elevates the entire fast-breaking feast. Picture yourself digging into a plate filled with crispy back bacon rashers, their savoury aroma mingling with the rich scent of the black pudding. 

Happily, for both your tastebuds and your wallet, tastecard has partnered with  Beefeater, so you can enjoy 25% off your total breakfast bill. So,  next time you’re at Beefeater, let black pudding take centre stage on your breakfast plate. It’s an amazing addition that brings the whole meal together, offering a taste of British culinary heritage with every bite.

The Beefeater breakfast is available for everyone, not just those staying overnight at their Premier Inn locations, and they serve up brekkie until 10:30 am midweek and 11 am at the weekend. What better way to kickstart your day? 

Gourmet burgers have become a quintessential part of British street food, captivating the taste buds of foodies across the nation. These delectable creations elevate the classic British burger to new heights, using high-quality ingredients, inventive toppings, and artisan buns. As a symbol of the evolving British street food scene, gourmet burgers represent the perfect blend of tradition and innovation. 

Their popularity has surged alongside the broader trend of British street food, reflecting the nation’s love for both comforting classics and exciting new flavours. When considering what is British street food, gourmet burgers stand out as a prime example of how traditional British street food can embrace contemporary culinary trends while maintaining its rich heritage. But whose gourmet burgers are the best we hear you ask?

Brewers Fayre gourmet burgers perfectly capture the essence of traditional British street food with a modern twist. Their range of burgers offers something for everyone, from hearty meat lovers to virtuous vegans. Each burger is a testament to the culinary innovation that has made British street food a beloved part of our dining culture. The combination of a brioche-style bun, skin-on chips, and coleslaw delivers a satisfying and flavourful experience that keeps burger enthusiasts coming back for more.Among the stellar lineup, team taste’s favourite has to be the Big Stack Burger. This towering delight is a celebration of everything we love about British street food – bold, indulgent, and utterly satisfying. The juicy steak burgers, paired with the perfect blend of toppings, create a mouth-watering explosion of flavours that epitomises the gourmet burger experience. Whether you’re enjoying a date night out or indulging in a midweek treat with mates, Brewers Fayre’s gourmet burgers exemplify the best of what is British street food, making them a must-try for any food lover. With the added perk of tastecard’s two-for-one offer from Sunday to Thursday, there’s no better time to dive into these delicious creations.

Nestled in the charming town of Welshpool in Shropshire, the Smithfield Bell Inn offers a delightful array of traditional British street food as part of its main menu. Part of the Marston's pub chain, this inn is known for its welcoming atmosphere and mouth-watering menu. One of the standout dishes here is the absolutely beautiful scampi and chips, a true British delicacy that perfectly embodies the essence of what is British street food. That’s why it’s number 3 on our list.

Twelve succulent wholetails of scampi breaded to perfection, are served with crispy, golden chips and a side of tartare sauce. You can choose between mushy peas or garden peas, making this dish a versatile and satisfying option. The golden, crispy scampi, paired with perfectly cooked chips, creates a harmonious blend of textures and flavours that is both comforting and satisfying. This dish is a quintessential part of traditional British street food, capturing the simplicity and deliciousness that defines our culinary heritage.

With tastecard, you can get 25% off the total bill, excluding Sundays, for tables of up to eight people dining. To take advantage of this offer, you need to show your tastecard and pre-book your table, as this pub can get very busy with walkers in the summer.  With the welcoming atmosphere of the Smithfield Bell pub and the high-quality food, a visit to this Welshpool hostelry for scampi and chips is a memorable and tasty experience. What are you waiting for?

Bangers ‘n’ mash, coming in at number two on our list of great British street foods, is a dish that perfectly captures the heart and soul of traditional British cuisine. This hearty meal, featuring succulent sausages paired with creamy mashed potatoes, is a staple of British comfort food. Its simplicity and rich, succulent flavours make it an enduring favourite amongst us Brits and also the lads and lasses of team taste here in our Manchester HQ.

The beauty of bangers ‘n’ mash lies in its versatility and wide appeal. It’s a dish that can be enjoyed at any time of the day, as a comforting lunch or a satisfying dinner. It’s also a fantastic example of what is British street food, as it brings together quality ingredients and traditional cooking methods to create something truly special. In a country that values its food heritage, bangers and mash stands out as a quintessential dish that represents the best of traditional British street food. 

For a true taste of this worthy number two on our ranking list of British street foods, head over to the Land Oak in Kidderminster, Birmingham. This pub, also part of the Marston's group, serves up an exceptional version of bangers ‘n’ mash that's sure to satisfy your cravings for traditional British street food. With three Cumberland pork sausages, sautéed red onions, and rich gravy served on a bed of creamy mashed potatoes with garden peas, this dish is a prime example of the best of British street food.

Here’s the best part – you can get a bangin’ 25% off your bangers ‘n’  mash at the Land Oak. That’s right, just flash your tastecard and enjoy this classic British food at a fantastic discount. But remember, no bangers ‘n’ cash discounts on Sundays – even sausages need a day of rest! So, make sure to show your tastecard and pre-book your table to secure your spot at this popular pub. After all, who doesn’t love a good deal on a mash-terpiece like this? 

When it comes to British street food, nothing quite captures the nation's heart like fish ‘n’ chips. Sitting proudly at number one in our ranking, this iconic dish is the epitome of what is British street food. Golden battered fish paired with crispy chips is a timeless classic that has been enjoyed by generations. The tradition of "Fish Friday" is still alive and well, reflecting our deep-rooted love for this hearty, comforting meal.

Fish ‘n’ chips represent the perfect blend of simplicity and flavour, making this dish a quintessential part of traditional British street food. The crispiness of the batter, the tenderness of the fish, and the satisfying crunch of the chips all come together to create a truly ‘jaw-inspiring’ experience. Whether enjoyed by the seaside or at a bustling street food market, fish ‘n’ chips bring a sense of British nostalgia and joy that few other dishes can match. It’s a meal that speaks to our culinary heritage, embodying the best of what British street food has to offer.

For those in the know, Xander's Fish Bar in Southport is one of the very best places to experience this quintessentially British street food dish. Team taste has scoured the country, and Xander's stands out as a shining example of traditional British street food done right. Their fish ‘n’ chips are nothing short of spectacular, featuring perfectly crispy batter enveloping tender, flaky fish, served with golden, crunchy chips. Each bite is a testament to the high standards and dedication to quality that Xander's maintains.

Located in the picturesque seaside town of Southport, Xander's Fish Bar is a local favourite. It's a proper seaside treat, offering everything you'd expect from a top-notch fish ‘n’ chip shop. They even cater to those with dietary restrictions by offering gluten-free fish and chips, ensuring everyone can enjoy this beloved British delicacy. Reviews are glowing, with visitors raving about the freshness and quality of the food. One reviewer on TripAdvisor noted, "by far the freshest and best fish and chips we have ever had, what a find we will return for sure."

What makes a visit to Xander's Fish Bar even more enticing is the fantastic discount you can enjoy with tastecard. With your tastecard, you get two-for-one on all main meals, making this already irresistible dish even more affordable. It's a perfect opportunity to indulge in the best of British street food without breaking the bank. 

Sampling the best of British street food is a fab way to celebrate and preserve our rich culinary heritage. It highlights the diversity and excellence of traditional British food, from the iconic fish ‘n’ chips to the hearty bangers ‘n’  mash. By identifying the best of what is British street food, we encourage you, the foodies, to explore and appreciate the flavours that define our nation.

Using your tastecard is the ultimate way to enjoy these delights, offering fantastic discounts that make it even easier to sample a wide variety of dishes. While we’ve only ranked five top favourites here, there are countless more to discover. Your tastecard is your passport to experiencing the full lineup of British street foods, allowing you to savour the best our country has to offer without breaking the bank. So, grab your tastecard and embark on a delicious journey through the wonderful world of British street food.